Crawley skipper Smith aiming for good start at Carlisle

Graham Carter

Crawley skipper Jimmy Smith says Reds must make a good start during this Saturday’s long trek to Carlisle.

Their highflying opponents are currently second in the league the only side still unbeaten in League Two with seven wins and seven draws coming from their first 14 matches.

Smith knows about the strength of their opponents, having played them last season, when they lost 3-1 away in November and in April Reds lost 1-0 at home.

He said: “Carlisle are a very good side, I remember them coming here (Checkatrade Stadium) last year and we need to give them a better game.

“I know a few of their players like Nicky Adams who used to be here. I know it’s going to be a very hard game.”

Smith stressed they must make sure they do not concede a goal early on in the game, which was what happened in their last away game, a 2-1 defeat at Cheltenham during which they conceded a goal in only the third minute.

Smith said: “We’ve learnt from that, we’ve watched the DVD, we’ve worked on it in training.